Abrasive-compound-applicating means

ABSTRACT

A polishing or buffing machine having a reciprocating abrasivecompound-applicating means adjacent the periphery of the polishing or buffing wheel for applying an abrasive compound thereon. A drive means, preferably including a reciprocating fluid actuated power cylinder and a flexible cable drive, is provided for reciprocating the applicating means along the length of the wheel. The complete drive means is enclosed within a flexible enclosure, such as a bellows, for preventing contamination thereof, such as by the abrasive compound.

I United States Patent Inventor Ramsay M. Bell Schoolcraft, Mich.

Appl. No. 702,024

Filed Jan. 31, 1,968

Patented July 20,1971

Assignee Hammond Machinery Builders, Inc.

Kalamazoo, Mich.

ABRASlVE-COMPOUND-APPLICATING MEANS 9 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 51/263 B24b 57/00 Field of Search 51/263; 74/37 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1931 Williams et a1. 74 37 3,044,227 7/1962 Charvat 51/263 2,555,237 5/1951 MacPhers0n.. 51/263 UX 2,915,859 12/1959 Burt 51/263 2,639,557 5/1953 McMullen et al 51/263 X Primary Examinerlames L. Jones, Jr. Anorney-Woodhams, Blanchard and Flynn ABSTRACT: A polishing or buffing machine having a reciprocating abrasive-compound-applicating means adjacent the periphery of the polishing or bufi'lng wheel for applying an abrasive compound thereon. A drive means, preferably including a reciprocating fluid actuated power cylinder and a flexible cable drive, is provided for reciprocating the applicating means along the length of the wheel. The complete drive means is enclosed within a flexible enclosure, such as a bellows, for preventing contamination thereof, such as by the abrasive compound.

PATENIEOMW 7 3,593,466

SHEET 1 BF 6 INVENTOR PAM/A34) 1 HEAL PATENTEDJULZOIHTI sum 3 m 6 3,593,466

, INVENTOR. m/my /v. 5514 PATENTEU JUL20 I971 SHEET 5 OF 6 INVENTOR.

KA /75AM /2 554A AnnAsivmcoMrouNmArPucArrNc MEANS FIELD or THE INVENTION This invention relates to polishing andibuffing machinery- DESCRIPTION OF THE- PRIOR ART In many of the prior art polishing and buffing machines, the means for-applying the liquid or bar compound onto the wheel has been'reciprocated by a'mechanical linkage havinga' rotatingcrank connected for reciprocating said means through an wheel fails to effect uniform finishing of the workpiece;

- Some of the other prior art devices have attempted to overcome these recognized disadvantages bf, the crank-type mechanical linkages.by utilizing'a fluid-actuated power cylinder forare'ciprocatin'g the compound applicating device.

Y This type of drive arrangement has resulted in a uniform velocity of the'applicating device across the axial'length of the wheel and thus provides the wheel with a uniform quantity of butting compound. However, these machines wherein Y the piston rod of thep'ower cylinder is connected directly to the slide carrying the applicatingdevice havealso proved highly undesirable in that this drive arrangement necessitates that the 7 machine. be relatively large in'proportion to the stroke of the applicating device,'which in turn'results in the. machine being and, more particularly, relates to a drive'means for reciprocat- Y inglan abrasive compound applicatingmeansadjacentthe polishingor buffingwheel. Y

. 2 H 3. A ,machine,as aforesaid, wherein the drive for the a 'jplic ating device includes a fluid-actuated power cylinder having a piston therein, the piston being directly connected to an endless cableto which is also connected a slideable head mounting the applicating device thereon so as to minimize the overall length of the machine.

4. A machine, as aforesaid, wherein the drive for the applicating device is completely enclosed to tamination thereof bythe abrasive compound.

5. A machine, as aforesaid, wherein the drive is completely enclosed within a flexible housing, such as a bellows, for preventing contamination thereof.

6. A machine, asaforesaid, wherein the amount of main- 'tenance and cleaning of the drive mechanism for the applicatingdevice is substantially reduced; Y

Y Other objects andpurposes of this invention will be apparent to persons acquainted with apparatus of this general type-upon. reading the followingspecification and'inspecting the accompanying drawings. 1' Y Y While the problems above discussed are present in connection with both liquid-compound-applicating 'means and barexceedingly heavy and expensive to manufacture. For example, in a machine having a wheel 24 inches in length, it would be necessary to use a power cylinder having a stroke or24 inches inorder'to traverse the applicating device across the complete'length of the wheel. However, when the piston rod of such a cylinder is fully' extended, the cylinder and the piston rod would measure 48 inches in length. This would thus mean that themachine would have to be built in sucha manner that approximately 24 inches of it would projectbeyond the width of the wheelin order for the applicating device to traverse the entire axial length of the polishing wheel. This arrangement'is obviously highly objectionable since not only-doesit increase I the weight and thecostof the overall machine, but it also becupies an inconveniently large amount of space. Y

Another'disadvanta'ge of the prior art devices has been the large amounts of maintenance and repairrequired by the drive means for the applicating device. In most of the prior devices, such drive means are mounted in the vicinity of the wheel either adjacent or directly beneath the wheel. However, since the polishing or buffing operation causes thciabrasive com- I pound to be thrown in all directions relative to the machine any drive mechanisms or related devices positioned in the immediate vicinity of the wheel are continually exposed to and contacted by the abrasive. This continual exposure of the v reciprocating drive to the abrasive'compound results in a contamination of the drive mechanism, which in turn necessitates 'a periodic shutdown of the machine and a disassembly of the drive mechanism to permit cleaning thereof or replacement'of parts therein. This periodic maintenance and cleaning results in inefficient machine usage. Accordingly, it is anobject of this invention to provide: 1. A polishing or b'uft'm'g machine having a reciprocating device for applying the abrasive compound wherein such device is moved at a substantiallyconstant velocity as it traverses the axial length of the wheel;

:2. A. machine,.as aforesaid, wherein the driveffor therap Iplicating'device has a: length only slightlygreater than the :75

stroke of said applicating device. Y

polishing or buffing compound-applicating means, the immediate situation out of which this invention arose involved a liquid-applicating means, namely a spraygun. Therefore, solely for convenience in further discussion and disclosure, subsequent references herein to suchi Pplicatin'g means "will be to a spray gun, with Y the understanding, however, that excepti'ngwhere the context clearly limits otherwise, a holder for bar compound can replace the spray gun and the invention remains equally applicable-.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF rus- DRAWINGS FIG. I isa perspective view 'of a polishing or buffing machine adapted'tolhave mounted thereona spray gun unit according-tothe present invention. 1

FIG. 2 is a partial side elevational view as'taken substantially along the line II-Il of FIG. I.

FIG. 3 isa partial side view taken by viewing theapparatus disclosed in FIG. 2 from the right side thereof, the polishing or buffing-wheel'and the hood surrounding same being removed i FIG. 6 is a partial top view on a reduced scale as taken along the Iine'VI-Vlof FIG.4. V .'-'FI,G. 7Iis.a partial cross-sectional view as taken along the line VII-VII ofFIG. 4. i

FIG.8 is a partial side view substantially similar to FIG. 3 illustrating an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a'partial cross-sectional view'taken along the line mm of FIG.8. I

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line ,X)( of FIG. 8.

- Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. The words upwardly," downwardly, rightwardly and leftwardly" will designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words inwardly" and outwardly" will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively,

the geometric center of the device and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will includefthe words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

1 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ln-,gene ral, the objects and purposes of the'invention are met by providinga' polishing or buffing machine having a rotatable wheel thereon'and an applicating-device, here a spray gun, positioned adjacentth'e periphery of the. wheel with Y drive means interconnected to the spray gun for reciprocating prevent consame axially of the wheel. The reciprocating drive means for the spray gun includes a fluid-actuated power cylinder having a reciprocating piston therein. A pulley is rotatably mounted adjacent each end of the power cylinder and a substantially endless flexible drive member extends between and passes over the two pulleys. One portion of the endless flexible member passes through the power cylinder and is connected to the piston, while another portion of the endless drive member passes exteriorly of the power cylinder and is connected to a movable head member onto which is secured the spray gun. The movable head member is slideably mounted on a plurality of guide rods which extend between and are fixedly secured to a pair of end plate members. The end plate members in turn are fixedly secured to opposite ends of the power cylinder. Reciprocation of the piston within the power cylinder thus causes a simultaneous reciprocation of the head mounting the spray gun thereon due to the interconnection therebetween by the flexible drive member.

Further, flexible housing means, such as bellows, extend between the slideable head member and the respective end plates and completely surround the power cylinder, the guide rods, the pulleys and the flexible drive member for enclosing same and preventing contamination thereof by the abrasive compound. The complete reciprocating drive unit is slideably mounted on a post fixed to the machine frame so as to be fixedly secured in any desired position relative to the wheel, thereby permitting the spray gun to be adjusted inwardly or outwardly relative to the periphery of the wheel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 illustrates a polishing and buffing machine 11 having a pedestal-type frame 12 on which is supported a polishing and/or buffing wheel assembly 13. An electric motor 16 is mounted adjacent the upper end of the frame and is connected to the bufl'ing wheel assembly by means of a conventional drive train 17, which drive train may consist of belts, chains or the like. A spray gun assembly 18 (FIG. 2) is mounted to the machine adjacent the lower rearward side of the wheel for permitting a suitable abrasive liquid to be applied to the periphery of the wheel.

The wheel assembly 13 is illustrated in'FlG. 2 and includes a conventional polishing or buffing wheel 21 having a hub 22 which is supported on a drive shaft 23, which shaft is connected to, and adapted to be rotatably driven by, the electric motor 16.

A conventional hood 26 partially surrounds the wheel 21 to minimize the throwing or spattering of the compound carried on the wheel. The hood 26 is provided with an opening or slot 27 therein which extends substantially axially throughout the full length of the wheel. The opening 27 permits a spray gun 29 having head 30 to extend up through the hood closely adjacentthe periphery of the wheel to permit the abrasive liquid to be sprayed thereon, the spray gun 29 also being axially reciprocated relative to the wheel throughout the length of the slot. A closure plate 28 is preferably provided within the hood to permit the opening 27- to be closed to the greatest extent possible so as to minimize the escape of sprayed liquid therethrough.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the spray gun 29 is mounted upon a gun-moving mechanism indicated generally at 31. The gunmoving mechanism 31 is in turn connected to the frame 12 by means of an adjustable support means 32, which support means includes a support post 33 fixed to the frame 12 at one end thereof by means of a bracket 36. A support member 37 carrying the gun-moving mechanism 31 thereon is slideably supported on the support post 33 for linear movement of the gun-moving mechanism 31 inwardly or outwardly relative to the periphery of the wheel, thus permitting adjustment between the spray gun and the wheel. A manually operated setscrew 38 is provided for permitting the support member 37 to be fixed t the support post 33 at any desired position.

A bearing block 39 is fixed to the post 33 adjacent the other end thereof and rotatably supports therein the hub 41 of a screw member 42 which extends in a substantially parallel relationship to the post 33. The screw member 42 is threadedly received within the support member 37 with the other end of the screw member being provided with a ratchet type handle 43 thereon. Manual oscillation of the ratchet handle 43 will cause the screw member 42 to rotate, thereby causing simultaneous linear movement of the support member 37 along the support post 33. The screw member 42 preferably has a self-locking thread thereon for assisting in holding the gun-moving mechanism 31 in the selected adjusted position.

The gun-moving mechanism 31 according to the present invention is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 37. Considering FIG. 4, the gun-moving mechanism 31 comprises generally a subframe 46 upon which is mounted a reciprocal drive means 47 and a slideable head assembly 48, the slideable head assembly 48 being interconnected to and driven by the reciprocal drive means 47.

The subframe 46 includes a pair of substantially parallel end plates 51 and 52 with the end plate 51 being fixedly secured to the support member 37 by means ofa plurality ofscrews 53. A pair of parallel, primary guide rods 56 extend between and fixedly interconnect the end plates 51 and 52. A similar pair of parallel, secondary guide rods 57 also extend between the end plates 51 and 52, the secondary guide rods 57 being parallel to the primary guide rods 56. A switch support member 58 is located adjacent the end plates with one end thereof being fixedly connected to the support member 37 by means of screws or the like, the other end being fixedly connected to the end plate 52 by means of an intermediate support bar 59, said member 58 being preferably parallel to guide rods 56 and 57.

The subframe 46 supports thereon the reciprocal drive means 47 which primarily comprises a cable drive means 61 and a fluid-actuated power cylinder 62. The cable drive means 61 (FIG. 4) includes pulleys 63 and 64 positioned adjacent opposite ends of the power cylinder 62. The pulley 64 is mounted on a bearing pin 67 which, as illustrated in FIG. 5, extends between a pair of parallel bracket plates 69 secured to the end plate 52 by means of screws or the like. The pulley 63 is mounted to the other end plate 51 in a similar manner by means of a pair of parallel bracket plates 68 fixedly secured thereto.

The power cylinder 62, which may be either pneumatically or hydraulically actuated, is positioned between the pulleys 63 and 64 (FIGS. 4 and 5) and comprises a generally cylindrical housing 72 fixedly secured to a pair of opposite end caps 73 and 74, which end caps are interconnected by means of screws 77 (FIG. 5) to the bracket plates 68 and 69, respectively. A piston 78' is slideably and reciprocably mounted within the power cylinder 62. A pair of inlet connections 79 and 81 (FIG. 4) having respective inlet openings 82 and 83 therein are fixedly secured to the opposite end caps 73 and 74 for permitting pressurized fluid to enter or leave the power cylinder. A list conduit 86 extends through the end plate 51 and has-one end thereof threadedly received within the inlet connection 79 for communicating with one side of the chamber formed in the power cylinder, the other end of the conduit being provided with fitting 87 thereon. Similarly, a second conduit 88 extends through the other end plate 52 and has one end thereof threadedly received within the inlet connection 81 for communicating with the other side of the chamber formed in the power cylinder, the other end of the conduit being provided with a fitting 89 thereon. A source of pressurized fluid (not shown) is connected through suitable conduits to the fittings 87 and 89 to permit pressurized fluid to be alternately supplied to opposite ends of the power cylinder 62 for causing the piston 78 to be reciprocated therein.

The cable drive means 61 as illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a substantially endless flexible drive element which comprises first and second cable segments 91 and 92. The first cable segment 9] has one end thereof connected to the piston 78 with the segment then passing through an opening 93 formed in the end cap 73 whereby the cable segment then passes over the pulley 63 has the other end thereof fixedly connected to a bracket 97. Similarly, the second cable segment 92 has an end thereof fixedly secured to the other side of the piston 78 with the cable segment then passing through a similar opening 94 formed in the other end cap 74 with the cable then wrapping around the pulley 64 and having the other end thereof fixedly secured to the bracket 97.

The bracket 97 constitutes a portion of the slideable head assembly 48, which assembly includes therein a slideable head 98 with the bracket 97 being connected thereto by means of screws 99 (FIG. 4). The slideable head 98, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, is provided with a pair of parallel openings therethrough in which is received ball bushings 101. The ball bushings are retained within the head by means of conventional retainer rings of which are one is indicated at 102. The ball bushings 101 are in rolling engagement with the pair of primary guide rods 56 for permitting the head 98 to freely reciprocate thereon. The head 98 is also provided with a second set of openings 103 (FIG. 7) through which pass the secondary guide rods 57.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the head 98 has a first substantially rectangular clearance opening 106 passing therethrough, which opening is ofa size and configuration so as to permit the power cylinder 62 to extend therethrough. Further, the clearance opening 106 also permits the brackets 68 and 69 to extend therein thereby permitting the slideable head 98 to move into positions substantially adjacent the respective end plates 51 and 52. The head 98 is also provided with a second clearance opening 107 therethrough in communication with the first clearance opening 106. The second clearance opening 107 is provided for permitting the bracket 97 to be positioned within and fixedly secured to the head 98.

The slideable head 98 further has a pair of cylindrical flanges 108 and 109 thereon (FIG. 4), which flanges are separated by a groove 111. A first flexible seal member in the form of a bellows 112 is positioned between the slideable head 98 and the endplate 51 and is fixedly secured thereto by means of a cylindrical end fitting 113 integrally formed on the bellows and slideably received over the cylindrical end plate 51, being secured thereto by means of a conventional clamp means 114. A similar cylindrical end fitting 117 is secured to the other end of the bellows 112 and is slideably received over the cylindrical flange 109 and fixedly clamped thereto by means of a clamp means 118.

A second flexible seal member in the form of a bellows 119 extends between the slideable head 98 and the other end plate 52. Cylindrical end fittings 121 and 122 are fixedly secured to the opposite ends of the bellows 119 and are slideably received over the flange 109 and the cylindrical end plate 52, respectively, being clamped thereto in sealing engagement therewith by means of clamp means 123 and 124, respectively. While FIG. 4 illustrates the first and second seal members as constituting metallic bellows, it would be apparent that other suitable flexible seal devices such as boots made of rubber, plastic or other synthetic materials could be utilized if desired.

The groove 111 formed in the slideable head 98 is utilized for positioning a carrier bar 127 therein, which bar is fixedly secured to the head 98. One end of the carrier bar 127 is provided with a mounting rod 128 (FIGS. 3 and 6) onto which is mounted the spray gun 29 in a conventional and well-known manner. The other end of the carrier bar 127 is provided with a switch actuator 129 thereon, which actuator may take the form of a pin or similar projecting member. Switch actuator 129 is adapted to cooperate with and actuate the limit switches 131 and 132 (FIGS. 4 and 6) which are adjustably positioned opposite each end of the subframe 46. Each of the limit switches is secured to a mounting plate 133 having a groove therein through which extends the switch support member 58 whereby each of the limit switches and its corresponding mounting plate can be slideably moved along the switch support member 58 and fixedly secured thereto in the desired position by means of screws 134 (FIG. 2). Limit switches 131 and 132 are utilized for controlling the stroke of the spray gun and are interconnected in a well-known manner to the power source utilized for energizing the power cylinder 62 for causing reversal in the energization thereof, which in turn causes a reversal in the reciprocating movement of the spray gun 29.

OPERATION Although the operation of the device embodying the invention has been indicated somewhat above, said operation will be described in detail hereinbelow for a better understanding ofthe invention.

To begin operation of the polishing or buffing machine 11, the spray gun 29 is connected by means ofa flexible hose to a pump for supplying abrasive liquid to the gun. The power source for the power cylinder 62 is then energized and, assuming the drive mechanism to be in the leftward position illustrated in FIG. 4, pressurized fluid is admitted through the inlet connection 81 into the interior of the power cylinder 62 so as to bar against the right side of the piston 78. Pressurization of the power cylinder causes the piston 78 to move toward the other end of the cylinder (leftwardly in FIG. 4) and causes a simultaneous linear movement of the cable segments 91 and 92. This movement of the cable segments also causes a corresponding movement of the slideable head 98 toward the other end of its stroke (rightwardly in FIG. 4). The abovedescribed movement continues until the switch actuator 129 contacts the limit switch 132 causing reversal of a control valve (not shown) whereby pressurized fluid is then fed through the first inlet connection 79 into the other end of the power cylinder 62 (leftward end in FIG. 4) so as to cause reverse movement of the piston therein. This reversal of the piston causes a simultaneous reversal of the slideable head 98 whereby same then moves in the opposite direction (leftwardly in FIG. 4) until the switch actuator 129 contacts the opposite limit switch 131 so as to again cause reversal of movement.

During the above-described reciprocatory movement of the spray head assembly 48, the spray gun 29 can be continuously supplied with liquid through a suitable flexible hose or tubing whereby the liquid is sprayed axially along the periphery of the wheel 21 from one end to the other end thereof. Further, the axial movement of the spray gun occurs at a substantially uniform velocity since the piston 78 moves at a substantially constant velocity except for the halts and reversals at the end of each piston stroke. Further, suitable control means can be added to the machine to shutoff the spray gun at the extreme ends of the stroke during this reversal of movement to prevent undue accumulation ofliquid on the wheel. Means suitable for performing this function will be described hereinafter.

During the above-described movement, the drive mechanism including the power cylinder 62 and the cable pulleys 63 and 64 supporting the endless flexible drive cable thereon is not contacted by any of the abrasive liquid since the drive mechanism is totally enclosed by means of the bellows 112 and 119 which extend between the end plates 51 and 52 and the slideable head 98. During the reciprocal movement of the head 98, same is slideably guided on the primary and secondary guide rods 56 and 57, respectively, the openings 106 and 107 in the head permitting same to freely move relative to the power cylinder 62 and the cable drive means 61. The openings 106 and 107 permit the head to move from adjacent the end plate 51 to adjacent the other end plate 52, said reciprocal movement being stopped short of the end plates by the height of the bellows when in the fully collapsed position, such as illustrated on the leftward side of FIG. 4. However, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the overall length of the drive mechanism including the support mechanism for the spray gun does not substantially exceed the length of the spray gun stroke, thus resulting in a compact machine.

MODIFICATION FIGS. 8-l0 illustrate a modification which can be made to the preferred embodiment previously described if desired. Since the majority of the parts of the modified embodiment are identical to the previously described preferred embodiment, said parts will be designated by the same reference numeral used to designate the corresponding parts in the preferred embodiment but with the suffixA" added thereto Referring to FIG. 8, there is illustrated a pair of end plates 51A and 52A interconnected by guide rods 56A and 57A, respectively, on which is slideably mounted a slideable head assembly 48A. The head assembly is interconnected to the end plates by means of two flexible bellows 112A and 119A so as to surround and enclose therein a power cylinder 62A and a cable drive mechanism substantially as illustrated in FIG. 4. The structure described so far is identical to that as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Mounted upon the head 98A of head assembly 48A is a carrier bar 201 which carries thereon a mounting rod 202 which extends substantially parallel to the axis of the wheel. A pair of spray guns 203 and 204 are mounted at opposite ends of the rod. By providing a pair of spray guns simultaneously operated by means of a single slideable head assembly, a buffing wheel having twice the length of the stroke of the drive mechanism can be adequately sprayed with liquid. While FIG. 8 discloses the mounting rod as having two spray guns mounted thereon, any desired number of spray guns could be mounted on such a carrier bar with the spacing between said guns being selected as desired.

The head 98A also has mounted thereon a yoke member 207 (FIG. 9) which is positioned on the opposite side of the head from the carrier bar 201. The yoke member 207 has mounted thereon a pair of switch plates 22] and 222 on which are secured valve control switches 208 and 209, each of which controls the flow of fluid to the spray guns 203 and 204, respectively. Each of the valve control switches 208 and 209 carry respective switch-actuating levers 211 and 213 thereon, upon the end of which is mounted the cam rollers 212 and 214, respectively. Oscillating movement of the actuating levers 211 and 213 causes actuation of the respective control switch for initiating or terminating flow of liquid to the respective spray gun.

A support plate 215 (FIG. 8) is fixedly secured to and extends from the end plate 52A while a second support 59A is fixedly secured to the end plate 51A. A pair of parallel support rods 216 and 217 (FIG. extend between and are fixedly connected to the plates 59A and 215. A plurality of trip cams 218 are adjustably positioned upon the support rod 216, the trip cams being fixedly positioned as desired along the rod by any suitable means, such as by setsc rews. A similar set of trip cams 219 is positioned as desired along'the other support rod 217.

A switch support rod 58A (FIG. 10) also extends between the support 59A and 215, the rod 58A being parallel to and positioned between the rods 216 and 217. A pair of limit switches 131A and 132A (FIG. 8) are mounted at opposite ends of the switch support rod 58A for controlling and defining the extreme end positions of the reciprocal stroke.

In operation of this modified embodiment, the head assembly 48A carrying the spray guns 203 and 204 thereon is reciprocated in substantially an identical manner as described above, the head being reversed at the ends of its reciprocal travel by the switch actuator 129A contacting the limit switches 131A and 132A so as to permit reversal in the energization of the power cylinder. As the head moves linearly throughout its stroke (rightwardly in FIG. 8) the actuating leverv 211 with the cam follower 212 thereon successively comes into contact with the trip cams 218, each of which causes an oscillation of the actuating lever 21] and in turn causes an actuation of the valve control switch 208. Thus, successive contacts with the trip cams 218 positioned as desired causes the flow of fluid to the gun 203 to be successively initiated and stopped several times throughout each stroke so that the liquid may be sprayed onto the periphery of the wheel in a desired pattern. Further, the trip cams permit the flow of liquid to the spray gun to be terminated substantially adjacent each end of the stroke that no flow will occur during the halt or reversal of movement which occurs at the end positions.

In a similar manner, the cam roller 214 on the actuating lever 213 will successively contact the trip cams 219 and cause actuation of the valve control switch 209, which in turn will successively initiate and terminate flow of liquid to the spray gun 204. If desired, the trip cams 218 and 219 can be substantially identically positioned as illustrated in FIG. 8 whereby each spray gun 203 and 204 will spray the same pattern. Alternatively, the trip cams 218 and 219 can each be positioned in different pattern. Alternatively, the trip cams 218 and 219 can each be positioned in different patterns whereby each gun 203 and.204 will then spray liquid onto the associated wheel according to its own independent pattern.

Alternatively, the control switches 208 and 209 can be connected to timing relays which can be set to permit spraying for predetermined time intervals. Actuation of either of the control switches 208 or 209 will thus energize its respective timing relay, which in turn will cause gun 203 or 204 to spray abrasive liquid for a predetermined time interval. The spraying will automatically terminate upon expiration of the time interval.

Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed above for illustrative purposes, it will be understood that variations or modifications thereof which lie within the scope of the appended claims are fully contemplated.

The embodiments of the invention in which I claim an exclusive property or privilege are defined as follows:

1. A polishing or buffing machine, comprising in combination:

a frame; a wheel rotatably mounted on said frame; means for rotating said wheel relative to said frame; applicator means having an applicator member for applying a compound onto the surface of said wheel; mounting means supporting said applicator means on said frame substantially adjacent the surface of said wheel for permitting said applicator means to reciprocate in a direction generally along the surface of said wheel; drive means for causing reciprocation of said applicator means through a predetermined stroke, said drive means including a fluid-actuated power cylinder having reciprocal fluid-actuated piston means, and said power cylinder having a maximum operational length only slightly greater than the stroke of said applicator means; means connecting said piston means and said applicator means for causing corresponding and equal displacements of said piston means and said applicator means in response to energization of said power cylinder; and flexible and elongated seal means surrounding and enclosing said drive means and said connecting means for preventing said compound from coming into contact therewith, said applicator member being positioned exteriorly of said seal means. 2. A polishing or buffing machine, comprising in combination:

a frame; a polishing or buffing wheel rotatably mounted on said frame; means for rotating said wheel relative to said frame; applicator means having an applicator member for applying a compound onto the surface of said wheel, said applicator means including a head member slideably mounted relative to said frame with said head member having said applicator member fixedly secured relative thereto;

mounting means slideably supporting said applicator means and said head member on said frame substantially adjacent the surface of said wheel for permitting said applicator means to reciprocate in a direction generally along the surface of said wheel, said mounting means including a pair of end members positioned on opposite sides of said slideable head member and disposed closely adjacent the opposite axial ends of said wheel;

flexible and elongated seal means extending between said end members and said slideable head member, said seal means including a pair of bellows with one of said bellows being interconnected between one of said end members and said slideable head member, the other of said bellows being interconnected between the other said end member and said slideable head member; and

drive means connected to said slideable head member for causing reciprocation of said applicator means between a first location disposed closely adjacent one axial end of said wheel and a second location disposed closely adjacent the other axial end of said wheel, said drive means being positioned within said pair of bellows whereby said bellows prevent said compound from coming into contact with said drive means, and said applicator member being positioned exteriorly of said bellows for permitting application of said compound onto the surface of said wheel in response to reciprocation of said slideable head by said drive means;

said drive means including a fluid-actuated power cylinder having fluid-actuated reciprocable piston means and elongated flexible force-transmitting means connected between said piston means and said slideable head for causing corresponding and equal displacements of said piston means and said applicator member in response to energization of said power cylinder.

3. A polishing or buffing machine as defined in claim 2,

wherein:

said slideable head member is provided with an opening therethrough, said power cylinder extending through said opening whereby said slideable head member surrounds said power cylinder and is reciprocally movable relative thereto.

4. A polishing or buffing machine, comprising in combination:

a frame;

a wheel rotatably mounted on said frame;

means for rotating said wheel relative to said frame;

applicator means having an applicator member for applying a compound onto the surface of said wheel;

mounting means supporting said applicator means on said frame substantially adjacent the surface of said wheel for permitting said applicator means to reciprocate in a direction generally along the surface of said wheel;

drive means for causing reciprocation of said applicator means, said drive means including a fluid-actuated power cylinder having a piston reciprocally mounted therein, a pair of pulleys rotatably mounted on said frame substantially adjacent opposite ends of said power cylinder, and a flexible drive cable passing over said pair of pulleys and having a first portion thereof extending into said power cylinder and being fixedly connected directly to said piston, said flexible drive cable having a second portion positioned outside of said power cylinder and connected to said applicator means whereby reciprocation of said piston causes a corresponding reciprocation of said applicator means; and

flexible and elongated seal means surrounding and enclosing said drive means for preventing said compound from coming into contact therewith, said seal means surround ing and enclosing said power cylinder, said pair ofpulleys, and said first and second portions of said flexible drive cable, and said applicator member being positioned exteriorly of said seal means. 5. A polishing or buffing machine as'defined in claim 4, wherein:

said applicator means includes a slideable head mounted on said frame for reciprocal movement in a direction substantially parallel to the axially aligned surface of said wheel, said slideable head being connected to said flexible drive cable and having at least one applicator member fixedly secured thereto; said frame including a pair of end plates positioned on opposite sides of said slideable head; said seal means including a pair of bellows with one of said bellows being connected between one of said end plates and said slideable head, the other of said bellows being connected between said slideable head and the other said end plate; and said power cylinder, said pair of pulleys and said flexible cable being positioned between said end plates with said first and second bellows completely surrounding same. 6. A polishing or buffing machine as defined in claim 5, wherein:

said applicator means comprises spray gun means having a spray head thereon adapted to spray a liquid compound onto the surface of said wheel. 7. A polishing or buffing machine as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said connecting means includes an elongated flexible member having a first portion directly connected to said piston means and a second portion directly connected to said applicator means; and said seal means including elongated flexible bellows means disposed in surrounding relationship to said power cylinder and said elongated flexible member. 8. A polishing or buffing machine, comprising in combination:

a-frame; a polishing or buffing wheel rotatably mounted on said frame; means for rotating said wheel relative to said frame; applicator means having an applicator member for applying a compound onto the surface of said wheel, said applicator means including a head member slidably mounted relative to said frame with said head member having said applicator member fixedly secured relative thereto, said slidable head member being provided with an opening therethrough; mounting means slidably supporting said applicator means and said head member on said frame substantially adjacent the surface of said wheel for permitting said applicator means to reciprocate in a direction generally along the surface of said wheel, said mounting means including a pair of end members positioned on opposite sides of said slidable head member; flexible and elongated seal means extending between said end members and said slidable head member, said seal means including a pair of bellows with one of said bellows being interconnected between one of said end members and said slidable head member, the other of said bellows being connected between the other said end member and said slidable head member; and drive means connected to said slidable head member for causing reciprocation of said applicator means, said drive means being positioned within said pair of bellows whereby said bellows prevents said compound from coming into contact with said drive means, and said applicator member being positioned exteriorly of said bellows for pennitting application of said compound onto the surface of said wheel in response to reciprocation of said slidable head by said drive means; said drive means including a fluid pressure cylinder means having a cylinder housing stationarily mounted relative to said frame, said cylinder housing extending through said 1 1 v 12 opening provided in said slidable head member whereby I stantially parallel rodlilce members secured to and exsaid slidable head member surrounds said cylinder houstending between i i f end members Said rodlike ing and is reciprocally movable relative'thereto. 9. A polishing or buffing machine as defined in claim 8, wherein:

said mounting means includes a plurality of elongated, submembers being disposed within said pair of bellows and having said head member slideably supported thereon. 

1. A polishing or buffing machine, comprisIng in combination: a frame; a wheel rotatably mounted on said frame; means for rotating said wheel relative to said frame; applicator means having an applicator member for applying a compound onto the surface of said wheel; mounting means supporting said applicator means on said frame substantially adjacent the surface of said wheel for permitting said applicator means to reciprocate in a direction generally along the surface of said wheel; drive means for causing reciprocation of said applicator means through a predetermined stroke, said drive means including a fluid-actuated power cylinder having reciprocal fluid-actuated piston means, and said power cylinder having a maximum operational length only slightly greater than the stroke of said applicator means; means connecting said piston means and said applicator means for causing corresponding and equal displacements of said piston means and said applicator means in response to energization of said power cylinder; and flexible and elongated seal means surrounding and enclosing said drive means and said connecting means for preventing said compound from coming into contact therewith, said applicator member being positioned exteriorly of said seal means.
 2. A polishing or buffing machine, comprising in combination: a frame; a polishing or buffing wheel rotatably mounted on said frame; means for rotating said wheel relative to said frame; applicator means having an applicator member for applying a compound onto the surface of said wheel, said applicator means including a head member slideably mounted relative to said frame with said head member having said applicator member fixedly secured relative thereto; mounting means slideably supporting said applicator means and said head member on said frame substantially adjacent the surface of said wheel for permitting said applicator means to reciprocate in a direction generally along the surface of said wheel, said mounting means including a pair of end members positioned on opposite sides of said slideable head member and disposed closely adjacent the opposite axial ends of said wheel; flexible and elongated seal means extending between said end members and said slideable head member, said seal means including a pair of bellows with one of said bellows being interconnected between one of said end members and said slideable head member, the other of said bellows being interconnected between the other said end member and said slideable head member; and drive means connected to said slideable head member for causing reciprocation of said applicator means between a first location disposed closely adjacent one axial end of said wheel and a second location disposed closely adjacent the other axial end of said wheel, said drive means being positioned within said pair of bellows whereby said bellows prevent said compound from coming into contact with said drive means, and said applicator member being positioned exteriorly of said bellows for permitting application of said compound onto the surface of said wheel in response to reciprocation of said slideable head by said drive means; said drive means including a fluid-actuated power cylinder having fluid-actuated reciprocable piston means and elongated flexible force-transmitting means connected between said piston means and said slideable head for causing corresponding and equal displacements of said piston means and said applicator member in response to energization of said power cylinder.
 3. A polishing or buffing machine as defined in claim 2, wherein: said slideable head member is provided with an opening therethrough, said power cylinder extending through said opening whereby said slideable head member surrounds said power cylinder and is reciprocally movable relative thereto.
 4. A polishing or buffing machine, comprising in combination: a frame; a wheel rotatably mounted on said frame; means for rotating said wheel relative to said Frame; applicator means having an applicator member for applying a compound onto the surface of said wheel; mounting means supporting said applicator means on said frame substantially adjacent the surface of said wheel for permitting said applicator means to reciprocate in a direction generally along the surface of said wheel; drive means for causing reciprocation of said applicator means, said drive means including a fluid-actuated power cylinder having a piston reciprocally mounted therein, a pair of pulleys rotatably mounted on said frame substantially adjacent opposite ends of said power cylinder, and a flexible drive cable passing over said pair of pulleys and having a first portion thereof extending into said power cylinder and being fixedly connected directly to said piston, said flexible drive cable having a second portion positioned outside of said power cylinder and connected to said applicator means whereby reciprocation of said piston causes a corresponding reciprocation of said applicator means; and flexible and elongated seal means surrounding and enclosing said drive means for preventing said compound from coming into contact therewith, said seal means surrounding and enclosing said power cylinder, said pair of pulleys, and said first and second portions of said flexible drive cable, and said applicator member being positioned exteriorly of said seal means.
 5. A polishing or buffing machine as defined in claim 4, wherein: said applicator means includes a slideable head mounted on said frame for reciprocal movement in a direction substantially parallel to the axially aligned surface of said wheel, said slideable head being connected to said flexible drive cable and having at least one applicator member fixedly secured thereto; said frame including a pair of end plates positioned on opposite sides of said slideable head; said seal means including a pair of bellows with one of said bellows being connected between one of said end plates and said slideable head, the other of said bellows being connected between said slideable head and the other said end plate; and said power cylinder, said pair of pulleys and said flexible cable being positioned between said end plates with said first and second bellows completely surrounding same.
 6. A polishing or buffing machine as defined in claim 5, wherein: said applicator means comprises spray gun means having a spray head thereon adapted to spray a liquid compound onto the surface of said wheel.
 7. A polishing or buffing machine as defined in claim 1, wherein: said connecting means includes an elongated flexible member having a first portion directly connected to said piston means and a second portion directly connected to said applicator means; and said seal means including elongated flexible bellows means disposed in surrounding relationship to said power cylinder and said elongated flexible member.
 8. A polishing or buffing machine, comprising in combination: a frame; a polishing or buffing wheel rotatably mounted on said frame; means for rotating said wheel relative to said frame; applicator means having an applicator member for applying a compound onto the surface of said wheel, said applicator means including a head member slidably mounted relative to said frame with said head member having said applicator member fixedly secured relative thereto, said slidable head member being provided with an opening therethrough; mounting means slidably supporting said applicator means and said head member on said frame substantially adjacent the surface of said wheel for permitting said applicator means to reciprocate in a direction generally along the surface of said wheel, said mounting means including a pair of end members positioned on opposite sides of said slidable head member; flexible and elongated seal means extending between said end members and said slidable head member, said seal means including a pair of bellows witH one of said bellows being interconnected between one of said end members and said slidable head member, the other of said bellows being connected between the other said end member and said slidable head member; and drive means connected to said slidable head member for causing reciprocation of said applicator means, said drive means being positioned within said pair of bellows whereby said bellows prevents said compound from coming into contact with said drive means, and said applicator member being positioned exteriorly of said bellows for permitting application of said compound onto the surface of said wheel in response to reciprocation of said slidable head by said drive means; said drive means including a fluid pressure cylinder means having a cylinder housing stationarily mounted relative to said frame, said cylinder housing extending through said opening provided in said slidable head member whereby said slidable head member surrounds said cylinder housing and is reciprocally movable relative thereto.
 9. A polishing or buffing machine as defined in claim 8, wherein: said mounting means includes a plurality of elongated, substantially parallel rodlike members secured to and extending between said pair of end members, said rodlike members being disposed within said pair of bellows and having said head member slideably supported thereon. 